Dentists Drill Down on Cryptocurrency

Slack AliceSlogger, Infosecurity Magazine

Seems like everyone’s getting into cryptocurrency: Some dentists in Europe are now accepting the aptly named Dentacoin.

Pioneered as a custom currency by an eponymous company, the whole idea started as a loyalty program concept, where patients could earn rewards (in the form of Dentacoin) for writing reviews of their mouth-care providers. It’s zeitgeisty and cool, but it also drags dentistry further into the 21st century and may even encourage people to take better care of their teeth.

As the company explained in its press materials:

Think about the last time you visited your dentist. What was that experience like for you? Did you go home and tell your spouse about your experience? What about your co-workers? Did it even cross your mind that you should tell someone about your visit to the dentist? If you are like most people, the answer to that question is probably no. When it comes to talking about our experiences in the health industry, people are more likely to complain or praise a doctor or nurse, but not very much attention is given to the dental industry in terms of feedback or otherwise. Dentacoin wants to shed some light on the dental industry and help the industry because more robust and patient-focused so that people will rant and rave about their experiences.

Their idea? Pay people for those rants and raves! So to that end, Dentacoin has created a special feedback system for the dental industry which incentivizes patients to place reviews of their dental treatment.

“This is a great tool for the dentists too, because they can use this direct customer feedback, see how their patients feel and apply changes where needed in order to improve their service quality,” the company said.

All participants on the Trusted Review Platform are rewarded for their contribution (regardless of whether it’s positive or negative) with Dentacoins, which can then be used to pay for future dental treatments or procedures, or can simply house stored value.

“While the cost of healthcare and dental care continues to rise, Dentacoin wants to help cut the costs associated with seeing a dentist and bridge the gap for people who need access to better dental care around the world,” Dentacoin added—perhaps overstating the altruistic side of things just a touch.

It’s an interesting concept and we’ll see what kinds of interesting business models this flosses out, so to speak. Dentist visits are never fun, so why not earn a little for your time?